A Verse On Good Service

What roiling the blood does
when called up to churn.
No claim laid as a fighter
though still some lessons learned
like you lead in with an uppercut
and pour from underneath.
Nothing makes good neighbors
like fences and loose teeth.

If your might swings to one side
and inertia goes unchecked
then use those rigid forearms
to shelter and deflect
since you know the counter coming
will be a rookie's right
dig in with the left arm.
This chance won't come up twice.

From there you're on your own, kid.
A bar fight's not like chess.
Predictions there are limited.
It soon becomes a guess.
The trick is to keep swinging.
No mercy for the weak.
If the sloppy fool deserves it
then you won't let him retreat.

Hesitance is poison.
Your liver's overworked.
The novelty of winning
is a minor perk.
It's more about the mirror
and what is has to show
in the morning after battle.
How trophy bruises glow.